Resources > Nutrition > Healthy Vending Machines (Fit Pick)
Healthy Vending Machines (Fit Pick)
The purpose of a healthy vending machine program in state agencies and institutions is to increase access to healthy foods for employees. In 2007, four state agencies piloted a healthy vending program called Fit Pick, developed by the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA). These agencies found that it is possible to have a successful, profitable healthier vending program - and keep their colleagues happy! Washington Wellness in collaboration with the Washington State Department of Health, Department of Services for the Blind, Evergreen Vending, and agency pilot participants have put together a package of tools below under "resources" for introducing a healthy vending machine program in an agency or institution.
Policies
In order to sustain access to healthy foods in vending machines, agencies and higher education institutions need a written policy and procedure.
Implementation
The experiences from the pilot agencies in implementing a healthy vending program are summed up to help you be successful faster. The Healthy Vending Guide for Agencies has implementation tips that are specific to state agencies and institutions.
Keys to a successful healthy vending project include:
- Provide a variety of tasty and popular healthy items.
- Label healthy items and post motivational and promotional signage.
- Keep in contact with your delivery driver.
Steer clear of:
- Starting a healthy vending program without advertising changes.
- Replacing all of the food in the machine with healthy foods right away. We recommend replacing 25-35% of the items with Fit Pick items.
In early 2008, a nonprofit group from Clark County, Washington developed Energize Your Vending: A Planning and Implementation Guide for Worksites and Community Organizations as well as a website based on the lessons they learned in community wide Fit Pick pilot. At www.fitpick.org and in the Fit Pick guide, you will find in depth information on bringing the Fit Pick program to your worksite, promoting the program, background information on nutrition, and sample materials to help you get started.
Evaluation
Decide what a successful healthy vending machine program is for your organization. The pilot agencies used the following to define success: employees liked the healthy choices; the healthy choice spaces in the vending machine were not empty; the vending machine income remained the same or improved.
Resources
| Healthy Vending Guide for Agencies | Overview | DOC |
| Fit Pick Comment Card | Implementation | DOC |
| Fit Pick Comment Card Evelope Label | Implementation | DOC |
| Fit Pick Newsletter Article Templates | Implementation | DOC |
| Fit Pick Photo | Implementation | JPG |
| Fit Pick Poster | Implementation | DOC |
| Fit Pick Senior Leader Email (DOP) | Implementation | DOC |
| Fit Pick Use of Materials Guide | Implementation | DOC |
| Healthy Vending Pilot Article (HCA) | Implementation | |
| Healthy Vending Monitoring Form | Evaluation | DOC |
Resources (Archives)
| Healthy Vending Overview | Overview | DOC |
| Making Healthy Changes in Worksite Vending Machines | Overview | |
| Worksite Vending Studies | Overview | DOC |
| Sample Commitment Letter | Implementation | DOC |
| Evaluation Checklist | Evaluation | DOC |